Don’t hold a false confession against an exoneree:
New social science research conducted over the last two decades suggests that while false confessions may be irrational, they are not uncommon. New York’s state compensation law, however, stipulates that an individual can only sue the state if “he did not by his own conduct cause or bring about his conviction.” This statute was passed into law in 1984, well before DNA testing showed just how many people contribute to their own convictions because of youth, mental illness or police pressure.
Also, so much for beyond-a-reasonable-doubt:
Even for people who do have clear standing to bring cases under the wrongful compensation statute, winning money is no slam dunk. Between 1984 and mid-2009, only 42 of 250 compensation claims resulted in awards or settlements. New York law sets a fairly high bar for compensation: The person in question must prove with “clear and convincing” evidence that they were actually innocent.
Footsteps 